Reddit-founder Alexis Ohanian, husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, buys stake in Chelsea Women

Reddit founder and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian, took a 10 percent stake in Chelsea Women

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Fresh investment in Chelsea womenOhanian injects £20 million He will have a seat in the Chelsea boardroomFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

His £20 million ($26.5m) investment places the club’s valuation at over £200m ($265m) — a new benchmark for the English side. Ohanian, 42, will also be joining the club’s board as part of the agreement, further deepening his commitment to the sport, as revealed by

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The power couple and their family are expected to be in attendance at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, as Chelsea prepare to take on Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final. The London side will be aiming to complete a domestic Double, having already asserted their dominance in the league.

WHAT OHANIAN SAID

Ohanian said: "I've bet big on women’s sports before, and I’m doing it again…I'm honoured for the chance to help this iconic club become every American's favourite WSL team and much, much more."

TELL ME MORE

Roughly a year ago, Chelsea made a strategic move to formally separate their women’s team from the men’s structure. Merchant banking firm BDT & MSD Partners was appointed to oversee and guide this transformation, with several bids put forward during the process.

After evaluating proposals, Chelsea’s ownership group opted for Ohanian’s venture firm, Seven Seven Six Capital. His prior experience in women’s sports — most notably as a majority stakeholder in Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) — played a significant role in winning Chelsea’s trust. That American club was sold last year for an eye-watering $250 million (£190 million), then a record sum for a women’s sports franchise.